The Broken Raven - A Paradox Of Two Worlds Series Book 1

Chapter 88 - Raven

I turn to face Clay, who has one hand behind his head and one on his chest. He seems to be at ease. I crawl out of bed and put on my clothes. I'm hoping he doesn't awaken. It's two in the morning as I make my way downstairs. I go to the kitchen and get a glass of water.

"Seems like someone can't sleep." I turn around to see Mr. Cladwell sitting at the kitchen table with Logan and Brie. "Ray, please tell me you weren't going to sneak out and do something stupid?" Brie questions me as she looks me up and down.

"Why shouldn't I? This won't stop until I make them stop. I'm tired of the sleepless nights, and I'm tired of the pain in my head. I'm tired of feeling like this is what my life is." A tear runs down my face. "I'm tired. So I'm going to the manor, and none of you will stop me."

Logan gets up and walks toward me, saying, "Raven, you can't do this by yourself, plus Clay won't let it happen. I'm sorry, I can't let you leave." He stands there, blocking my way out of the kitchen. I take a deep breath and look at him, determined to make him move.

"Ventus,"

Logan flies across the kitchen, "I'm sorry, I will stop anyone who gets in my way." I walk out, leaving them to pick up the pieces of the shattered glass table.

⁂

I start Clay's car and start driving. Clay's words run through my mind.

—"I mean it, no more stupid, spontaneous ideas that you've got in that head of yours,"—

"Shit," I whisper to myself. I pull onto campus instead and park. I sit in the school parking lot, going over everything. Clay is going to kill me when he wakes up. I haven't gotten a call from him or the others, so maybe I can make it back without being noticed. On cue, my phone goes off and brings me out of my thoughts. "Hello?" I say as I answer.

"Didn't I tell you no more stupid shit?" Clay states with anger.

I take a deep breath and say, "I know, that's why I'm at the campus instead."

"Don't move, I'm coming to you." I hang up. I knew he would be pissed. I never think before I do anything. It's why I always get myself into trouble. I'm not used to someone caring so much about me or constantly telling me what to do.

I exit the car and lean against it. taking in the night's chilly air. I consider what all of this implies for our town and for us while I fix my attention on the moon above. As I turn to look, I see Clay stepping out of Logan's car as the headlights behind me flash. Logan waves goodbye as Clay walks toward me. I hand him his keys, and he wraps his arms around me.

"I don't want you alone out here, especially with everything that has happened. Hell, I don't think we will be leaving Cladwell for a while either." He says looking into my eyes.

Great! There goes the trip to New York. "Yeah," I roll my eyes.

"Ray, I mean—" I cut him off. "Shh," I put my finger on his lips, "do you smell that?" We both look at each other as we smell warm blood. We listen closely and hear someone or something struggling in pain. We walk towards the smell, keeping an eye on our surroundings. I motion for Clay to follow me. At the bottom of the stairs heading to the library building, lays a girl from class, covered in blood. Wounds everywhere, like she was mauled by a dog.

"Clay, call 911!" I shout at him. "It's okay. We're going to get you help, just stay with me,"

She looks up at me, her blue eyes showing fear. Her breathing staggers, and she starts closing her eyes. "Hey, hey, hey. Stay with me. Come on. Stay with me, keep looking at me." I start to tremble as my words get caught in my throat.

Sirens in the background catch my attention, and Clay waves them down. They hurry down the steps and help. They place her in the ambulance as Clay and I run toward his car, following them to the hospital.

⁂

Hours pass, and we watch as this poor girl's parents arrive, only to be told their daughter didn't make it. I get up and walk to the stairwell. "Ray, where are you going?" He shouts as he pushes the door open, following me down the stairs. "To kill them," I grit my teeth.

"You? Are you serious?" He looks puzzled. Fire burns within me. Rage taking over every inch of my body. My fist slams through the cement wall, jolting Clay back in surprise. "Alright, breathe," He grabs a hold of my shoulders, "No need to go all Clay on the wall." He lets out a little laugh.

"This isn't funny, Clay! People are dying. That girl just died because I couldn't protect her. This needs to end before anyone else gets hurt." Tears start coming down my face, and I feel like I have no more fight left in me.

He pulls me into his chest and kisses my head. He holds me, silence in the air. I can't live my life like this. My friends are in danger, innocent people are dying; they are being thrown into the wolves' den for their entertainment. If this doesn't end and I don't do what they want, I'm afraid they will go after Clay next.

"Let's go back to the manor and talk to Dad, he will know what to do." We drive away from the hospital, and I can't help but feel guilty about all of this. The guilt starts to consume my soul, and I want vengeance.

⁂

We get to Cladwell Manor, and I can't help but break down.

"Come here," Clay says, pulling me into his lap. "Stop blaming yourself," he whispers as he kisses my cheek and wipes away the tears.

"How can I not? This is all my fault. If I had just stayed away, no one would have gotten hurt. You, Logan, and Brie, wouldn't have been thrown into this mess."

"You regret being with me?" Sadness overcomes his voice, and I cup his cheeks.

"No, never. I love you. I will always love you, but this needs to end. The Lycans have gone too far." He nods in agreement with me. He leans into me and kisses me once more before we step out of the car. The sunrise hits my face, and I look down at my clothes covered in that poor girl's blood. I need to get out of these. We head in, and everyone stops to look at us. I shake my head and make my way to Clay's room.

"Just give her some space," I hear Clay tell the others. I strip out of my bloody clothes and step into the shower. The hot water runs down my body as I watch the blood flow down the drain. I'm numb to what is happening. No one wants any more bloodshed, and I agree, but there is still one more fight left, and I think I know what to do.

As I finish up in the shower, I start to form a plan in my head. It's risky, but it's the only way to end this once and for all. I quickly get dressed, determined to see it through to the end. I just need to find a way to keep Clay far away from it all.